Regardless of not having the providers of Nikola Jokic on the second night time of a row, with the reigning MVP lacking time because of sickness, the Denver Nuggets defended their flooring with conviction in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers, dominating a lot of the proceedings en path to a 126-103 victory. Russell Westbrook was as soon as once more the focus of the Nuggets’ efforts, as he posted 19 factors, six rebounds and eight assists in his function as commander of the workforce’s offense.
Westbrook’s contributions transcend the columns of stat sheets he fills out nightly at any time when he has heavy minutes. This was particularly evident within the vitality he dropped at the Nuggets, notably through the first quarter by which he warned his former teammate Ivica Zubac that he’d higher lock up – just for Westbrook to show his bragging methods are proper grabbing an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and placing it again within the internet for 2 factors.
“I instructed him I used to be going to get the rebound. I instructed Zu if he misses I will get this one and there is nothing you are able to do about it. And he missed, and I received it, and there was nothing he may do about it,” Westbrook mentioned earlier than hilariously leaving his post-game presser, by way of DNVR Nuggets on X (previously referred to as Twitter).
If there’s something Westbrook does on the hardwood, it is play with a confidence that by no means wavers, whether or not his workforce is forward or dealing with a deficit. And the Nuggets largely fed off his vitality. That was nonetheless evident in the best way they challenged the Boston Celtics regardless of Jokic’s absence, and in the best way they gave the Clippers no probability to win Wednesday night time’s sport.
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Nuggets make Russell Westbrook’s renaissance a bit of simpler
When the Nuggets signed Russell Westbrook this previous offseason, there have been many doubts about his constructive contribution to the workforce. In spite of everything, Westbrook was coming off a foul playoff run for the Clippers, the place his shortcomings have been largely uncovered by the Dallas Mavericks.
Westbrook, nevertheless, has been every thing the Nuggets may have hoped for and extra. He bounced again from a tough begin within the Mile Excessive Metropolis, changing into one of the crucial necessary gamers. Westbrook has constructed nice chemistry with Nikola Jokicand his voice was distinguished within the locker room, serving to to ascertain an unbelievable sense of competitiveness throughout the workforce.
